Background -- Currently, I am a senior aquatic ecologist and project manager for Jones & Stokes, Inc., a Sacramento, CA based environmental planning and natural resource management consulting firm. I have more than 26 years of experience designing, conducting, directing, analyzing, and evaluating applied ecological studies, experiments, and environmental assessments in streams, lakes, estuaries, and wetland ecosystems. This includes modeling and analysis of the effects of flow modifications, habitat enhancement/restoration, and non-point discharges on fisheries, stream water quality, and wetland/riparian communities. I have constructed lake and stream water quality models used to evaluate changes in nutrient loading on aquatic productivity, including important natural and sport fisheries. My varied experience includes technical and management leadership on several federal and private sector water projects involving multi-disciplinary studies on streams, lakes, riparian corridors, and wetlands.

AFS Involvement -- I am a life member of AFS and have been active in the Cal/Neva chapter (where I served as Treasurer from 1993-1995), as well as at the Division level for many years. For the past 3 years, I have had the privilege of serving the Western Division as your Secretary/Treasurer. This has given me insight into the opportunities our Division has for leadership excellence in the critically important fisheries resource issues that face the western region and our nation today. With continuing population growth, changes in global climate, increased demands for water and energy resources, we face critical issues of how to sustain and enhance natural productivity of our fisheries resources. Never before, in my opinion, has the need for informed, coordinated, focused, effective resource advocacy been higher than it is today. The WDAFS is in a unique position to serve as a catalyst and effective champion of responsible resource management. It is the united voice of our professional society that can effect policy decisions, public attitudes, and institutional inertia to protect and preserve our natural heritage. If elected as your President Elect, I pledge to work enthusiastically to galvanize our Division into an effective voice for responsible resource stewardship. I believe that the Division should be willing and poised to take effective stands on critical issues. I envision a WDAFS that leads the discussions on controversial issues (through symposia, position papers, web-based discussion groups, etc.), unites our collective voice in constructive resource advocacy, represents the membership in supporting responsible public policy, and uses our immense talent and knowledge to inform and inspire our membership. I realize that many of us, due to our institutional affiliations, are precluded from taking individual action on many fisheries resource issues. This is where the WDAFS can and should play a vital role in representing the informed, professional concerns and positions of the membership. In addition, I have a strong desire to aid the society in implementing its strategic vision through inspired, dedicated, service oriented leadership. I thank you for considering me as a candidate, and giving me the opportunity to serve the Western Division of AFS in this critically important role, at this very important time.